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Graduate Opportunities

We have several research opportunities for graduate research at both the Masters and PhD levels. The links below provide an overview of faculty research interests as well as funded projects that require students. As there is not always a perfect match between existing projects and student research interests, all faculty will consider supervising original projects that overlap with their own areas of expertise. Contact a potential supervisor(s) before applying to the program. Please also see our printer friendly brochure.

Current Research Projects seeking Graduate Students

PhD Position: Assessment of Temporal and Spatial Variability of Ecosystem Function in Small Streams

Motivated PhD student sought for a unique opportunity in the StrEAMS lab at Western University to conduct research on metrics of aquatic ecosystem function in streams of southern Ontario. Student project will be focused on the study of temporal and spatial variability in measures of aquatic ecosystem function, including ecosystem metabolism and decomposition, with the goal of applying this knowledge to the development of protocols for stream assessment and monitoring. Project will include a mix of field observational and experimental studies as well as controlled exposure experiments in a new state-of-the-art artificial stream facility located in London, Ontario Thames River Experimental Streams Systems [TRESS] Centre. Student responsibilities will include designing and executing experiments and analyzing and reporting research outcomes. Potential PhD students are encouraged to contact Dr. Adam Yates: adam.yates@uwo.ca

MSc Positions: Stream ecosystem response to cumulative land use effects

Motivated M.Sc. students sought for research projects studying stream ecosystem responses to cumulative effects of land use activities as part of Western University’s StrEAMS lab. Possible areas of research foci include, but are not limited to: 1) biological assimilative capacity and resilience to nutrient additions, 2) resistance of ecological function to agricultural derived stressors, and; 3) development of novel biological and ecological indicators for assessment of cumulative effects. Student projects will include both observational and experimental field studies as well opportunities to conduct controlled experiments at a state of the art artificial stream facility (Thames River Experimental Streams Systems [TRESS] Centre). Potential study areas include southern Ontario and Southern Manitoba, Canada. Opportunities for collaboration and lab exchanges at Environment Canada facilities exist. Potential MSc students are encouraged to contact Dr. Adam Yates: adam.yates@uwo.ca

Understanding Energy Justice: Masters (MA)

This engaged research project explores how diverse values are articulated and represented in public discourse and decision-making around contentious energy projects. Through a critical literature appraisal, qualitative interviews and discourse analysis, the project aims to: understand the priorities that people involved in a pipeline controversy in Ontario attach to the idea of energy justice; compare their working definitions with scholarly theories of energy justice; and assess the extent to which principles of energy justice – derived both from theory and the case study – appear in documents, reports and media coverage on the case study issue. Potential MA students are encouraged to contact Dr. Carol Hunsberger: chunsber@uwo.ca

Applied Glaciology: Masters (MSc)

A newly developed mine in Northern British Columbia is accessed across 11km of glacier using an all-weather truck road that requires intensive monitoring and maintenance. This critical route is subject to a range of hazards due to ice movement, avalanches, melting and flooding. Climate change is leading to ongoing retreat, lowering the ice surface, steepening road grades and degrading the ice. Potential MA students are encouraged to contact Dr. Chris Smart: csmart@uwo.ca